Cable for connecting an image displaying device to a digital computer network

ABSTRACT

Cable ( 200 ) for connecting an image displaying device ( 133 ) to a digital computer network ( 120 ), which cable ( 200 ) comprises only a first end ( 201 ), arranged to receive a digital network signal, and a second end ( 202 ), arranged to be connected to the image displaying device ( 133 ) and deliver a digital image signal to the image displaying device ( 133 ). The invention is characterised in that the cable ( 200 ) comprises an integrated general-purpose programmable computer device ( 203 ), arranged to execute a piece of cable computer software in turn arranged to read the network signal and produce said image signal using the said network signal, and in that the computer device ( 203 ) is arranged to be powered by a voltage provided y an ethernet socket ( 121 ) to which the first end ( 201 ) is arranged to be physically connected or by an image signal receiving socket to which the second end ( 202 ) is arranged to be physically connected.

The present invention relates to a cable for connecting an imagedisplaying device to a digital computer network. In particular, thepresent invention relates to such a cable for use in spaces fortemporary use by identified guests, such as in hotels, conferencepremises and similar, and for providing personalized user interfaces onsuch image displaying devices.

It is presently common that such spaces feature image displaying devicesfor personalized use by identified guests. Examples comprise monitors ortelevision sets in hotel rooms, via which guests can order room service;find information; interact with booking systems; and obtain otherpersonal services. Typically, such interaction takes place incommunication with a PMS (Property Management System), or similar.Therefore, it is necessary to connect the image displaying device to thepremise's network.

This has conventionally been achieved using a set-top box or similar,connected to the image displaying device. Prior art solutions rely onhardware and software based solutions perceived as complex andcumbersome to use.

The prior art further comprises documents CN 203968281 U, GB 2402007 A,KR 101183326 B1, US 2008120668 A1 and US 20100056073 A1.

There is also a problem using such conventional solutions, since usedset-top boxes and similar must be installed for each image displayingdevice to be used with the system, which may be complicated. Suchperipheral equipment not only uses valuable space, it also makes acluttered impression. Moreover, peripheral devices such as set-top boxesrequire additional power.

Furthermore, there is a need for a simpler way for users to interactwith such systems, via connected image displaying devices in suchspaces.

The present invention solves the above described problems.

Hence, the invention relates to a cable for connecting an imagedisplaying device to a digital computer network, which cable comprisesonly a first end, arranged to receive a digital network signal, and asecond end, arranged to be connected to the image displaying device anddeliver a digital image signal to the image displaying device, and ischaracterised in that the cable comprises an integrated general-purposeprogrammable computer device, arranged to execute a piece of cablecomputer software in turn arranged to read the network signal andproduce said image signal using the said network signal, and in that thecomputer device is arranged to be powered by a voltage provided by anethernet socket to which the first end is arranged to be physicallyconnected.

In the following, the invention will be described in detail, withreference to exemplifying embodiments of the invention and to theenclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an overview diagram of a system in which a cable according tothe present invention may be used;

FIG. 2 is a simplified view of a cable according to the presentinvention; and

FIG. 3 is a sample snapshot image of an interactive graphical userinterface displayed on an image displaying device connected to a cableaccording to the present invention, in conjunction with an interactiveuser interface on a portable electronic device.

All figures share the same set of reference numerals.

Hence, FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 in which a cable 200, 200 a, 200b according to the invention may be used as a part component, forconnecting a respective image displaying device 131, 132, 133 to adigital computer network 120, in particular to a respective networkconnection socket 121, 122, 123 (such as an ethernet socket) of such anetwork 120.

Herein, an “image displaying device” may refer to a normal televisionset, a monitor, a projector or any other piece of equipment capable ofpassively displaying image material to a user, based upon an imagesignal. It is preferable that the image displaying device is not ageneral-purpose programmable device such as a conventional computer or atablet computer. Herein, the term “general-purpose programmable device”refers to a device which may be programmable in a general manner, forgeneral purposes, using an available interface for loading arbitrarycomputer software into to the device for execution therein. Such ageneral-purpose programmable device is also referred to herein as a“general purpose computer”, and typically comprises a processor, amemory, a bus and peripheral digital communication means. It is notedthat a television set may comprise a programmed computer without beinggenerally-purpose programmable as such, if it does not offer such aninterface for loading software.

The network 120 is also connected to a PMS (Property Management System)110, in communication with or comprising a database 111. In a preferredembodiment, the network 120 and the PMS 110, as well as the devices 131,1332, 133 and the cables 200, 200 a, 200 b are all installed ascomponent parts of the system 100 in a particular property for thepurpose of serving identified guests with services in relation to avisit or other activity in the property in question. Preferred examplesof such properties comprise hotels and conference venues.

FIG. 1 also illustrates a wireless access point 11, such as a WiFiaccess point or a mobile communication base station, such as a 3G or 4Gbase station, which is connected via the internet 10 for serving mobileusers with mobile internet connectivity 12. The PMS 110 is alsoconnected to the internet 10. Normally, a WiFi access point is used whena connected portable electronic device is on the premises of the saidproperty; while a mobile communication base station is normally usedwhen no such WiFi access point is available.

FIG. 2 illustrates the cable 200 according to the invention, shown in aninstalled state in FIG. 1 together with other installed cables 200 a,200 b of the same type. The cable 200 is arranged and specificallyadapted for connecting the image displaying device 133 to the digitalcomputer network 120. That the cable 200 is arranged “for connecting”the image displaying device 133 to the network 120 means that the cable200 is arranged to provide a connection, for the image displaying device133, to the network 120 in question. In a first preferred embodiment,this means that the image displaying device 133 is provided with adirect connection, preferably a digital connection, to the network 120.For instance, in case the network 120 is a packet network such as aninternet connected IP-based intranet, the image displaying device 133may be provided with an IP connection, such as an internet connection,by the cable 200, which may be used by the image displaying device 133itself to communicate directly with other internet connected devices onthe network 120 or even remotely connected devices. In a secondpreferred embodiment, this means that the image displaying device 133 isonly indirectly connected to the network 120 using the cable 200, sothat the image displaying device 133 is a recipient of the image signaldescribed below from the cable 200, without being able to transmit anyinformation back to the network 120. In the latter case, the imagesignal is still digital but may even be an analogue image-carryingsignal.

The cable 200 comprises only a first end 201, arranged to receive adigital network 120 signal from the network 120 to which the cable 200is connected, and a second end 202, arranged to be connected to theimage displaying device 133 and to deliver a digital image signal to theimage displaying device 133. That the cable 200 only comprises saidfirst 201 and second 202 ends means that the cable 200 is in the form ofan elongated two-ended structure with the general shape of a cable. Inother words, the cable 200 does not comprise any additional blind orconnected cable segments with additional ends, or additional contacts orconnectors, apart from the said ends 201, 202 with their respectivecontacts 201 a, 202 a (see below). In particular, the cable 200 ispreferably designed as one single piece of hardware, not comprising anydetachable boxes or other parts with connectors, to which cable segmentscan be connected or disconnected to assemble or disassemble the cable200.

According to the invention, the cable 200 further comprises anintegrated general-purpose programmable (as defined above) computerdevice 203, arranged to execute a piece of computer software in turnarranged to read the said network 120 signal and to produce said imagesignal using the said network 120 signal. That the image signal isproduced “using” the network 120 signal means that the image signal iscalculated at least to some extent based upon data carried by thenetwork 120 signal, so that the information displayed by the imagedisplaying device 133 based upon or coded by the said image signalreflects the information provided in the image signal in a way which isrecognizable by a human viewer of the image displaying device 133.Preferably, the determination of the image signal based upon the network120 signal involves data processing in at least some respect, and doespreferably not only involve simply forwarding or format converting anexisting image or video signal carried by the network 120 signal. Hence,it is preferred that the cognitive contents of the image carried by theimage signal is created, such as put together from several informationsources, by the computer device 203. One or several such informationsources may be data carried by the network 120 signal (such as fromdifferent original sources och relating to different aspects of theimage signal to be produced) while another information source may beinformation already existing in the computer device 203.

According to the invention, the computer device 203, as well aspreferably all other electrically powered hardware features of the cable200, is arranged to be powered by a voltage provided by an ethernetsocket 123 (such as via PoE, Power over Ethernet, or a similar solution,whereby a voltage provided by the socket 123 is harvested by the cable200) to which the first end 201 is arranged to be physically connectedusing connector 201 a.

FIG. 2 also indicates one or several conductors 204 arranged within andalong the cable 200, physically interconnecting the connectors 201 a,202 a with the computer device 203 and other hardware components 210,212, 214 of the cable 200.

The cable 200 may preferably comprise a plastic coating, and maypreferably have the general overall shape of a conventional cable, suchas a conventional ethernet or HDMI cable. The plastic coating preferablycompletely encloses all parts 203, 210, 212, 214 comprised in the cable200, and its surface is preferably only broken at the connector 201 a,202 a attachment points. The cable 200 is preferably between 0.5 and 2meters long. It is preferably of substantially uniform shape and widthalong its entire length between said connectors 201 a, 202 a. It ispreferably at the most 1 cm of diameter, preferably along its entirelength. Such small cross-sectional dimensions is preferred since thecable 200 can then easily be made self-cooling with respect to comprisedelectrically powered hardware 203, 210, 212, 214.

Preferably, cable 200 computer software is provided to the computerdevice 203 upon manufacturing of the cable 200, but preferably the cable200 computer software can be at least updated using the network 120signal, in a way which may be conventional as such. In other words, anoperating system of the computer device 203 preferably exposes an API(Application Programming Interface) of some type making it possible to,via the network 120 signal, reprogram, update and/or replace said cable200 software program arranged to produce the image signal.

Preferably, the digital computer network 120 is an IP network,preferably an internet network, and the said network 120 signal is an IPsignal, preferably an internet signal. In this case, it is preferredthat the image signal defines a web page to be displayed on a screen ofthe image displaying device 133. Hence, the network 120 signal may, at aparticular high-level signal layer, be an HTML protocol signal. Inparticular, the first end 201 then preferably comprises an ethernet plug201 a.

Similarly, the second end 202 preferably comprises a digital imagedelivery plug 202 a, preferably also arranged to deliver digital sounddata, apart from digital image data. A preferred example of such a plug202 a is a conventional HDMI-type (High Definition Media Interface)plug. It is noted, as discussed above, that the plug 202 a may be eithera mono or (preferably) bi directional communication standard plug.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cable 200 further comprises awireless internet providing device 210, arranged to accept wirelessconnections from portable electronic devices 300 in a localneighbourhood of the cable 200 and to provide internet connectivity 211to such devices (see also FIG. 1). For instance, the device 210 may be aconventional WiFi hotspot. This is preferred since it is then possibleto control the access to various functionality (such as the belowdescribed preferred examples) provided to users of the interactive userinterface described below, since portable electronic devices 300 beingprovided internet access via the device 210 are then known to be locatedin the proximity to the cable 200 and therefore to the image viewingdevice 133.

Hence, it is preferred that the said cable 200 computer software isarranged to produce the image signal so as to produce and present aninteractive graphical user interface 140 on the image displaying device133. An example snapshot of such an interactive graphical user interface140 is illustrated in FIG. 3 on a screen of the image displaying device133.

As seen in FIG. 3, the graphical user interface 140 is preferablyindividualized, in the sense that it is specifically adapted for servingthe particular individual user controlling and interacting with theinterface 140, for instance using a remote control or the portableelectronic device 300 as described herein. Preferably, the user isidentified as discussed below via the portable electronic device 300. InFIG. 3, the user is a particular individual named “John Smith”. Theexemplifying options “Room service”, “My reservations” and“Entertainment” illustrated in the interface 140 shown in FIG. 3 arerelevant to the preferred field of use for the system 100 of hotelinformation systems, and are preferably selected based upon the identityof the said user. For instance, the option “My reservations” may only beavailable in case John Smith currently has pending reservations asindicated in the PMS 110.

According to one preferred embodiment, the user interface 140 isarranged to be controlled by a remote control (not shown in thefigures), arranged to emit wireless signals that may be conventional assuch, for instance infrared radio signals 215. Such emitted signals 215are then captured by a wireless signal detection means 214 comprised inthe cable 200 and fed to the computer device 203 and processed by saidcable 200 computer software, so as to control the image signal and as aresult the interface 140 in a way making the user experience for a usercontrolling the remote control interactive. For instance, the remotecontrol may feature arrow buttons using which the user can navigatebetween different graphically presented functionality in the interface140, and a selection button using which the user may acknowledgespecific selections of such functionality.

However, in a preferred embodiment, which may or may not be combinedwith remote control functionality 214 of the said type, the cable 200computer software executed on the computer device 203 is arranged toreceive, via said network 120 connection, control signals arranged tointeractively control the interactive user interface 140, andspecifically to update the interactive user interface 140 in reaction tosuch control signals. This embodiment is the one which is illustrated,for exemplifying purposes, in FIG. 3.

In particular, in this case it is preferred that the said controlsignals are initiated by a device 300 computer software executed by orfrom a portable electronic device 300, such as a conventional smartphoneor the like, which device 300 is preferably located in the proximity ofthe cable 200 and the connected image displaying device 133, preferablyso that a user of the portable device 300 can readily view theinteractive graphical user interface 140. Further preferably, the saidcontrol signals are preferably produced by said portable device 300computer software in reaction, preferably in realtime or near realtime,to a manipulation by said user of a corresponding device 300 userinterface 142, preferably an interactive graphical user interface 142,provided by and on the portable device 300. Preferably, the controlsignals are produced by said portable device 300 software in reaction toand based upon such user manipulation of a touchscreen 301 of theportable electronic device 300. Then, the control signals in questionare transferred to the computer device 203 either via the said network120 (via connector 123 to cable 200) or via a wireless internetconnectivity 212 provided to the portable electronic device 300 directlyby the cable 200 as described above.

In particular, it is preferred that the said control signals comprisemovement descriptors of a graphical pointing means 141, such as anarrow, comprised in the interactive graphical user interface 140. In avery preferred embodiment, the pointing means 141 is directlycontrolled, via said movement descriptors continuously fed to thecomputer device 203, which movement descriptors are continuouslyproduced by said portable electronic device 300 computer software inreaction to the user pointing or dragging an object 310, such as theuser's finger, on or across the said touchscreen 301 of the portableelectronic device 300. This movement of the finger 310 and corresponding(nearly) simultaneous movement of the pointing device 141 is illustratedin FIG. 3 using a broken arrow. This way, the user can use thetouchscreen 301 in a way similar to a conventional “track pad” tocontrol the movement pointing device 141. It is also possible to, forinstance select objects in the interactive interface 140 by tapping onthe touchscreen 301 with the finger 310, whereupon the said portableelectronic device 300 software may produce a selection control signalwhich is communicated to the cable 200 as described above.

In a particularly preferred embodiment (see FIG. 2), the cable 200comprises a wireless nearfield communication means 212, arranged to bein local wireless contact 213 with the locally arranged (in proximity tothe cable 200) portable electronic device 300. For instance, the means212 may be a Bluetooth®, NFC or ZigBee® communication device.Preferably, the means 212 is arranged to identify devices connectedwirelessly thereto, so that the portable electronic device 300 isidentified when connected. In particular, the said software executed oncomputer device 203 is arranged to accept control signals only fromportable electronic devices 300 that have previously been identified bythe system 100, for instance in said wireless contact with means 212 orby a user registration. It is possible, albeit not preferred, that thelocal wireless internet connectivity explained above to be provided bymeans 210 is instead provided by means 212. However, it is preferredthat both means 210 and 212 are used, since they serve the differentpurposes of providing a reliable, high speed internet connectivity andlocalization-based identification (as described below), respectively.

For instance, the portable electronic device 300 may as such have beenpreregistered with the system 100, for instance by the user, in a waywhich may be conventional as such, along with some type of uniquelyidentifying information pertinent to the portable electronic device 300itself. One preferred way of performing this registration is that apiece of device 300 computer software is activatable, such asinstallable, configurable and executable, on or from the portableelectronic device 300, which is then preferably a general-purposeprogrammable device (see above for definition). Such device 300 computersoftware may provide the above-described user interface 142 on and usingthe said touchscreen 301. As a part of the activation of the device 300software, the user of the portable electronic device 300 may be requiredto sign up for a user account which is then associated with the device300 as such and used as, comprising or being associated with theabove-discussed uniquely identifying information. The uniquelyidentifying information may, furthermore, be some type of informationuniquely tied to the portable electronic device 300 hardware, such as aMAC address of the device 300 or an IMSI or MSISDN number of a SIM cardinstalled in the device 300. The verification of the uniquelyidentifying information may take part in a way which is conventional assuch, for instance as a part of a handshake between the cable 200software executed on the computer device 203 and the portable electronicdevice 300 software.

In a preferred embodiment, the cable 200 computer software is arrangedto detect (such as automatically or upon initiating contact by theportable electronic device 300, for instance initiated by the saiddevice 300 software), using said nearfield communication means 212 thenearfield, the local presence of a previously identified portableelectronic device 300. Then, the cable 200 computer device 203, and inparticular the said cable 200 software, is arranged to thereuponautomatically impart a predetermined change to the image signal as aresponse to such presence detection. For instance, by entering a hotelroom while carrying a preregistered portable electronic device 300, thelocal presence of the device 300 is automatically detected by the cable200 and as a result the personalized interface 140 is automaticallydisplayed on the image displaying device 133 and activated for userinteraction by the user carrying the device 300 in question, forinstance by automatically activating the interface 142 on thetouchscreen 301 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

In particular, it is preferred that the above-described identificationof the portable electronic device 300 as such also comprises theidentification of a user holding the portable electronic device 300,preferably via a preregistered system 100 user account of theabove-discussed type. Then, the said predetermined change of the imagesignal is determined based upon the identity of the user in question,rather than the device 300 as such.

Such a cable 120 provides a rich, personalized and convenient userexperience in a hotel, a conference facility or similar, withoutrequiring a bulky set-top box, complex cabling or similar hardware. Allwhich is required is to connect the cable 200 between a network 120connection socket 123 and an image signal input socket of the imagedisplaying device 133. The cable 200 may simply replace an internetand/or image cable already existing for the device 133. It is preferredthat the cable 200 software is arranged to automatically seek andestablish a digital network connection, such as an IP connection withthe PMS 110, upon such installation in said socket 123 from which thecable 120 is preferably powered. This provides for a low-maintenanceinstallation which is also aesthetically attractive and which does notnegatively affect the interior decoration possibilities of a hotel roomor other property facility in which the cable 200 is installed and used.

Above, preferred embodiments have been described. However, it isapparent to the skilled person that many modifications can be made tothe disclosed embodiments without departing from the basic idea of theinvention.

For instance, the database 111 may be used to store the above-describeduser accounts, and also keep track of users' reservations and so on.

Also, the portable electronic device 300 may also be a laptop computeror similar, which may be internet-connected using a separate ethernetcable.

Furthermore, one single user may be associated in the system 100 withseveral different portable electronic devices, making it possible to useseveral such devices as respective remote-controlling device asillustrated in FIG. 3, possibly at the same time when locally located inrelation to the cable 200.

The hardware means 203, 210, 212, 214 may be conventional as such, andare therefore not described herein in any further detail. It isespecially noted that miniaturized computer and wireless components arereadily available on the market, and the power provided by, forinstance, PoE is sufficient to power such devices. The cable 200 may, ofcourse, also comprise other additional devices, as long as the overallshape and size being that of a conventional cable is still true.

Hence, the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, butcan be varied within the scope of the enclosed claims.

1. Cable for connecting an image displaying device to a digital computernetwork, which cable comprises only a first end, arranged to receive adigital network signal, and a second end, arranged to be connected tothe image displaying device and deliver a digital image signal to theimage displaying device, wherein the cable comprises an integratedgeneral-purpose programmable computer device, arranged to execute apiece of cable computer software in turn arranged to read the networksignal and produce said image signal using the network signal, whereinthe computer device is arranged to be powered by a voltage provided byan ethernet socket to which the first end is arranged to be physicallyconnected, wherein the cable computer software is arranged to producesaid image signal so as to present an interactive graphical userinterface on said image displaying device, and wherein the userinterface is arranged to be controlled by a remote control, emittedwireless signals of which are captured by a wireless signal detectionmeans comprised in the cable and fed to the computer device andprocessed by said cable computer software.
 2. Cable according to claim1, wherein the digital computer network is an IP network and wherein thenetwork signal is an IP signal.
 3. Cable according to claim 2, whereinthe image signal defines a web page to be displayed on the imagedisplaying device.
 4. Cable according to claim 2, wherein the first endcomprises an ethernet plug.
 5. Cable according to claim 1, wherein thesecond end comprises a digital image delivery plug and is also arrangedto deliver digital sound data.
 6. Cable according to claim 1, whereinthe cable is further arranged with a wireless internet providing device,arranged to accept wireless connections from portable electronic devicesin a local neighbourhood of the cable and to provide wireless internetconnectivity to such devices. 7-8. (canceled)
 9. Cable according toclaim 1, wherein the cable computer software is arranged to receive,from said computer network and/or from a signal receiving means, controlsignals controlling the interactive user interface, and to update theinteractive user interface in reaction to such control signals. 10.Cable according to claim 9, wherein the control signals are initiated bya device computer software executed by or from a portable electronicdevice in reaction to a manipulation by a user of a touchscreen of theportable electronic device, and wherein the control signals aretransferred to the computer device either via the network or via awireless internet connectivity.
 11. Cable according to claim 10, whereinthe control signals comprise movement descriptors of a graphicalpointing means comprised in said interactive graphical user interface.12. Cable according to claim 11, wherein said movement descriptors areproduced in reaction to the user pointing or dragging an object or theuser's finger on a touchscreen of said portable electronic device. 13.Cable according to claim 9, wherein the cable comprises a wirelessnearfield communication means arranged to be in wireless contact withthe portable electronic device so as to identify the portable electronicdevice, and wherein the cable software is arranged to accept controlsignals only from portable electronic devices that have previously beenidentified.
 14. Cable according to claim 13, wherein the nearfieldcommunication means is arranged to detect the nearfield presence of apreviously identified portable electronic device, and wherein the cableis arranged to then to automatically impart a predetermined change tothe image signal as a response to such presence detection.
 15. Cableaccording to claim 14, wherein the identification of the portableelectronic device also comprises the identification of a user holdingthe portable electronic device, and wherein said predetermined change ofthe image signal is determined based upon the identity of the user inquestion.